Steven Dyki Wins Summary Judgment Dismissing Breach of Contract Case Against Professional Singer and
On March 25, 2016, Steven Dyki won summary judgment dismissing the plaintiff’s complaint in its entirety against defendant Collette McLafferty in the case of Bonfante v. Nevone, Index No.: 62953/2014 (Sup. Ct. Suffolk County), and the Court scheduled a hearing on the issue of sanctions against the plaintiff for commencing and maintaining a frivolous action. The plaintiff, a professional musician and attorney, claims that in the summer of 2012, he formulated the idea of starting a tribute band based upon the music and theatrics of the artist known as “Pink.” Sometime thereafter, he shared his plans with defendant Richard Nevone. The plaintiff claims that he entered into a contract with Nev
On March 26, 2016, Cecil Floyd won a unanimous liability defense verdict in Kerre v. Martinez, Index No. 101928/2011 (Sup. Ct. New York County). The plaintiff claimed that on April 7, 2010 he was a passenger in our defendant’s livery cab when it approached a gas station. The co-defendant’s car pulled out of the station attempting to make a left turn and struck the livery cab on the front passenger’s side. The parties claimed that the driver of the livery cab was speeding and failed to timely observe the other car. Mr. Floyd argued that the co-defendant’s vehicle was 100% responsible for the accident by virtue of failing to yield the right-of-way while entering a roadway from a non-roadwa
On March 22, 2016, John Magrino won summary judgment dismissing the plaintiffs’ complaint in McDevitt v. Pritchard Industries, Docket No. HNT-L-29-14 (N.J. Sup. Ct., Law Division, Hunterdon County). The plaintiff alleged that she slipped and fell on ice in the parking lot of Ethel Hoppock Middle School in Asbury, New Jersey. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant was negligent by virtue of failing to perform its duty to remove the snow and ice from the parking lot. Mr. Magrino successfully argued that the defendant did not owe a duty to the plaintiff because it only contracted to provide snow and ice removal from the building’s sidewalks, not the parking lot. The Court dismissed the
On March 22, 2016, Steven Dyki presented a continuing legal education program entitled “Facebook – Get the Picture, Discovery and Admissibility of Online Evidence” for the New York Women’s Bar Association in Manhattan. Mr. Dyki discussed the techniques and strategy for conducting internet based research, deposing witnesses on internet based research, and the law regarding the discovery of a witness’s private social media accounts.
On March 15, 2016, the New York Law Journal published an article authored by Florina Altshiler entitled "False Eyewitness Testimony: The Limits of Memory." The article discusses how attorneys can use psychology to explore a witness's memory and techniques specific to addressing issues starting with jury selection and continuing with jury instructions. A link to the article can be found here: http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/home/id=1202752125698.
On April 12, 2016, Charles Stokes will be a faculty member at the 18th Annual “Personal Injury Potpourri” Continuing Legal Education program presented by The Dispute Resolution Institute at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The program features presentations by several judges and prominent trial attorneys. Mr. Stokes’ presentation will be “Practical Perspectives on Prosecuting and Defending Dram Shop Claims.”
Russo & Toner, LLP has been named by Buffalo Business First as one of the “Best Places to Work” in the Buffalo/Niagara region of Western New York for 2016.
On February 9, 2015, Florina Altshiler presented a continuing legal education program for The Bar Association of Erie County entitled “Going Beyond No Comment: Media Relations for Attorneys.” Ms. Altshiler spoke on the topics of effective communications in anticipation of and during litigation, media relations, television interviews and general public relations for attorneys.
On January 29, 2016, Steven Dyki successfully defended two summary judgment motions in Supreme Court, Kings County in the case of Crawford v. The North Flats, LLC, Index No. 13076/2013. The plaintiff claimed that he was entitled to summary judgment on his claims of violation of Labor Law sections 240, 241(6) and 200 against the defendants/third-party plaintiffs owner and general contractor. He argued that the clamps of an extension ladder “popped off” causing the ladder to collapse causing injuries. The defendants/third-party plaintiffs claimed that they were entitled to summary judgment on their claims for contractual indemnification against our client, the third-party defendant employer
